Feature Article

OtherWorld Wins European Digital Media Award

OtherWorld uses beacon technology to create a powerful and highly responsive news ecosystem. The digital company is a news and marketing technology pilot based in the United Kingdom. The digital news company is the brainchild of Goulden and his marketing agency and startup studio Like No Other.

“I’d like to thank all the contributors in Manchester and beyond who helped make the pilot happen. This award celebrates their belief in a radical new idea and our collective ability to make it happen, putting forward a future for local news in which it can thrive once more. Our time in Manchester proved we are onto something rather exciting and we’re now exploring where we could take it next,” said Stuart Goulden, founder, OtherWorld.

The company was piloted in Manchester, England last year. One of its goals was to find an innovative new way to send highly targeted news stories and marketing offers to users’ mobile phones based on their location. It accomplished this by using beacon technology to trigger stories as people physically walk past them. This is done without the need for creating an app. In addition to its potential to spark to storytelling possibilities, OtherWorld was praised for its ability to engage younger audiences in local news. This was difficult because these younger audiences of people enjoy local stories, but are unlikely to ever buy their local newspaper.

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers organization recognizes innovative publishers who have adopted digital media and mobile strategies as part of their total product offering to meet the major changes in how people consume news and information today.

Where did OtherWorld receive funding from? The service received funding from Google’s Digital News Innovation Fund and attracted over 50 content partners in Manchester. These partners include law enforcement, local festivals, Manchester’s city council and other partners.

OtherWorld is revolutionizing the way in which people view their news on mobile devices without the need of an app.